Talismen

We went to Uncle George's funeral today.

In his hands were a deck of cards. Next to him was his yellow thermal coffee mug from Hucks. Those were the things I associated with him most. There were photos of him and his haulin' truck, a framed "Dad" written in Susan B. Anthony dollars and lots of funeral flowers - some of which were sent by people who really couldn't afford to.

I think I'd like my funeral to be held in a bookstore. Maybe in the travel section. Or in the "Recommended by Our Staff" area. Or in "Favorites."

And for that truly overdramatic element play the Beatles "Yesterday".

Tennis

So much of the great times in my life have involved tennis. I really can't remember much of my grandpa Tony without thinking of him on a court. Even when there weren't toys when we visited relatives, we wouldn't be bored as long as there was a court near by.

I can't remember the names of most of my gradeschool teachers but I can remember most of the names of my tennis rackets. Jack Kramer, the Weed, the Urge. (I always tried to avoid the Everett.) Trying Gretch's "composite" or Dad's new aluminum one. The old rackets with the screw on braces that were supposed to prevent them from warping. The new Prince just lacks the character of the old wooden ones

As a family, the sport was one of those things that connected us. Even when Ben and then Pete were too tall for me to really play basketball against them, we could get out on the courts and play. Ben's spins confused me for years.

In gradeschool, I first really felt independent biking off to BHS for lessons during the summer. In highschool, Scott Noth and I would play a couple of sets before walking to Hucks for a Big Gulp and wasting a dollar in quarters playing Bad Dudes. Then there was the summer when Aaron Bird and I played tennis or racquetball almost everyday.

Finally I'm healthy enough to play again. Just getting out and hitting with Barry at the Carmen courts the other day was great.

Travel log

In the last six weeks I have been to:
Atlanta
Colorado Springs
Chicago
St. Louis
Dallas
Charleston
Indianapolis
Mineapolis
Singapore
Hong Kong

Amanda, @ and I will move to Charleston this weekend where I'll finally finish that thesis. Hopefully by Christmas I'll have that degree in hand along with tickets for a January or February-departing ticket for Asia.

No offence to you all but I'm just eager to get back to that elsewhere where I belong.